Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - tart

~1 n 1 a pie (1) without a top on it, containing something sweet 2 informal a woman whose appearance or behaviour makes you think that she is too willing to have sex 3 slang a prostitute ~2 adj 1 food that is tart has a slightly sour taste that stings your tongue  (a tart apple) 2 tart reply/remark etc a reply, remark etc that is sharp and unkind  (Her tart reply upset me.) - tartly adv  (Colin replied tartly that he hadn't invited me.) - tartness n ~3 v tart sth up phr v BrE informal 1 to try to make something more attractive by decorating it, often in a way that other people think is cheap or ugly  (All they've done for the party is to tart up the old church hall.) 2 tart yourself up often humorous if a woman tarts herself up she tries to make herself look attractive, by putting on jewellery make­up (1) etc